VSU organizes Hispanic Heritage Month activities

Valdosta State University is hosting a number of activities in
observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, including a special focus on
Latino farm workers in Georgia with funding from the Georgia
Humanities Council, the National Endowment of the Arts and the
Southern Arts Federation.

Dr. Laurie Sommers, of the South Georgia Folklife Project, said
that the core of events focuses on issues of Hispanics in this
region of Georgia, farm workers in particular. ?There is a need for
some cross-cultural information sharing about the Hispanic farm
workers in this region; their work and their culture,? she said.
?This is the largest ethnic group to locate here since the
settlement of this region, and it is the most marginalize and
misunderstood ethnic group.?

Sommers? partner in this effort is Susan Wehling, associate
professor, Modern and Classical Languages Department. ?Susan
initiated a service learning project with her students, who work
with migrant workers, so she has connections in this area,? Sommers
said.

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed nationally. Following is the
list of activities offered through VSU. The public is invited to
all events, which are free unless otherwise noted.

* Sept. 23-Oct. 4: ?The Last Harvest: A Tribute to the Life and
Work of Farm Workers? exhibition, Biology/Chemistry Building first
floor foyer.
* Sept. 26: Performance by ?Los Bandits,? a five-piece, bilingual
Tex-Mex band from Kalamazoo, Mich., headed by former farm workers
Ren�� Meave and Guillermo Martinez, uses original and traditional
compositions and humor to address issues such as ethnic labels,
cultural values and the farm worker struggle. Performance is at
7:30 p.m. in the Biology/Chemistry Building Large Auditorium.
* Oct. 1: ?The Last Harvest: A Tribute to the Life and Work of Farm
Workers,? exhibition opening reception with a gallery talk by Dr.
Laurie Sommers in the New Biology/Chemistry Building Large
Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. This Florida Humanities Council traveling
exhibit features recent photos and text about the history and
culture of Florida and South Georgia farm workers. The exhibit will
be in the University Center foyer Oct. 5-31.
* Oct. 8: ?Special Topics in Higher Education in Belize: Diversity,
Refugees and Education,? Brown Bag Series lecture by Louie Brown
visiting scholar Israel Cano; 3035 Nevins Hall at 12:15 p.m.
* Oct. 10: ?Traditional Arts and the Politics of Culture in
Georgia's Newly Settled Hispanic Community,? an illustrated
slide-talk on applied folklore in Dalton and Whitfield County in
northwest Georgia by Martha J. Nelson, former director of the
Traditional Arts Program at the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton.
Presentation is in the University Center Theater at 7:30 p.m.
* Oct. 11: Field trip to Coggins Farm in Echols County, one of the
largest employers of Hispanic farm workers in the area.
Participants are asked to meet at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Episcopal
Church parking lot on Patterson Avenue (across from West Hall
fountain). Please register with Linda Simmons or Susan Wehling,
333-5948, in case re-scheduling is necessary.
* Oct. 15: ?Que he hecho yo para merecer esto?!!?, 7 p.m. at the
University Center Theater. Carmen Maura stars in this 1984 Spanish
film as a housewife and cleaning woman hooked on No-Doz (Spanish,
with English subtitles). Luis Bejarano will introduce the film and
conduct a brief discussion afterward. For more information, contact
the Office of International programs at 333-7410.
* Oct. 18: Boston Flamenco Ballet, Mathis Auditorium, Teatro
Hispano Americano Program, 9:45-10:50 a.m.; Fantasia
Espa?ola-Spring in Spain Program, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cost is $9
for one show or $14 for both shows, if tickets are purchased in
advance via the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Contact
Linda Simmons or Susan Wehling at 333-5948 for tickets.
* Oct. 22: Forum on local and state Hispanic community work,
University Center Theater, at 7:30 p.m.
* Oct. 29: ?Music in Florida Farm worker Communities? a talk using
photos and field recordings with Bob Stone, Outreach Coordinator
for the Florida Folklife Program. Program is at 7:30 p.m. in the
University Center Theater.